Will Be Replaced By An Airport Open House

Biggin Hill Airport has pulled the plug on the Biggin Hill Air Fair after 47 years.

The event was billed as "one of the most famous events on the global aviation calendar" on the Biggin Hill Airport website. The annual event attracted an estimated 100,000 people in June, and was the largest privately-run airshow in Europe. The 2010 show had included a tribute to the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

But now, the airport has decided to sack the air show in favor of a community open house, according to reports in the British media including The Kent News. The airport is under new management, and the company reportedly wants to stress ties to the business aviation community rather than stage the larger event. The scaled-down open house will be more of a trade fair, according to the paper, much like those that were held in the 50's and early 60's, before the event became an air show.

The show that has become known over the past nearly five decades was founded by Squadron Leader Jock Maitland in 1963, and his son, Jim Maitland, reacted angrily to the events demise. He said the way it was done was "inappropriate" given the legacy of the show.

But the airport's current managers say the open house and trade fair will make a better connection between the airport and the surrounding community. It will be held in September, rather than June, and will still feature warbird displays and military participation, though not nearly to the extent as in the past.

An airport spokesman told the paper that the show would be "community based" in 2011 to "put it on the map", and then work on developing the themes for the event. He said the "Air Days" at Biggin Hill from 1952 until the air spectacular began in 1963 had been "very successful, year after year."

FMI: www.bigginhillairport.com